Music festivals are becoming more popular among teenagers, especially in the Chicagoland area. Lara Mitchell (12) has had many opportunities to attend these festivals because of her dad’s job.
“My dad is the manager of the stages being built. He works around the world. The farthest place he has been is Europe, but he has been all around the United States. He does any musical festival where you have to build an actual stage for it, like Electric Forest, Lollapalooza and North Coast,” Mitchell said.
Mr. Mitchell’s job provides many opportunities and benefits that he can pass along to his daughter. One of these perks could include the admission to the festivals.
“I get free tickets to any music festival that I ask him for [that he works on]. So far, I’ve went to Lollapalooza, but [my dad] said that I could go to North Coast or Electric Forest also,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell doesn’t just get free general admission tickets, either. She is allowed to go backstage with her dad sometimes during the festivals.
“I met Halsey, Perry Farrell, Russ, and I was close to 21 Savage but I didn’t talk to him. I almost cried, I was shaking when I met Halsey because I love her so much, and it was crazy for me to meet her,” Mitchell said.
Since her dad is usually working the event, Mitchell does not always have the opportunity to experience the festival with her dad. However, she was able to at Lollapalooza 2017.
“[My best experience from my dad having this job is] probably Lollapalooza this year. This year he got to stay with me for more time during the festival, so that meant I could go backstage more with him. It was better this time to see all of it behind the scenes, and have him take me places around the area,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell has been to a lot of different music festivals and concerts, and is experienced with the way they work. Here are some tips and advice she gives for people who want to go for the first time.
“I would say go to a music festival instead of a concert because they are a lot more fun. It’s better to save the money to do that instead of going to a concert where one person is performing,” Mitchell said.
